Easter is the first record Patti Smith recorded after the year-and-a-half break that was caused by her fall from a stage in January 1977. The album is produced by Bruce Springsteen associate Jimmy Lovine and was Smith's most commercial-sounding effort yet and, due to the inclusion of Springsteen's "Because The Night" (with Smith's revised lyrics), a top ten hit. Easter incorporated a diversity of musical styles, including classic rock and roll, folk, spoken word and pop music.

Easter turned out to be the best compromise Smith achieved between her artistic and commercial aspirations. Obviously she had learned to use her poetic gifts within an album rock context.